Retaining Wall Cleanup Has Begun
Workers begin stabilizing wall

This update may get a little lengthy; having just returned from Puerto Vallarta after seeing the retaining wall damage first-hand, there is a lot to say. We have published many photos and written a lot of words so we're sure many of you think you have a clear picture of the extent of the accident but let me tell you, unless you have stood next to the damage and the rubble, you have no idea. To say it's massive is an understatement of the first order. It is amazing that we are not dealing with a rash of worker's comp claims for heart failure suffered by those who were near it when it happened.

Having seen the damage and consulted with the engineers, it is easy to see why they have reached the conclusions they have about the cause. We won't go into detail but it will suffice to say that the wall has stood for more than 25 years without cracking, falling, or showing any signs of degradation. There had to be external forces at play to cause it to fall at this time. It is also easy to visualize the “fix” that has been proposed.

In a nutshell, numerous steel cable anchors are being inserted into the cliff face – some through the remaining portion of the retaining wall; others through the “new” cliff face created by the slide. Pictures on this page show workers drilling holes where the anchors will be inserted. These cables will be anchored to steel plates and tightened, and the holes will be filled with expanding concrete. All of this will keep things in place while the debris and dirt are removed, and for the future. Once everything has been cleaned up, the resort will reopen. Our target date is January 13, 2007. At that time, construction will begin on the new retaining wall. Support beams and buttresses will hold everything place along with the anchor cables. While the work will be somewhat noisy for our guests, we think they will be happy to be there. And they will probably enjoy playing the role of “Sidewalk Superintendent” while they're onsite.

Moving to matters less exciting but certainly no less important, the board will be meeting before Christmas to adopt a policy regarding everyone who lost (or will lose) their vacation in December and January. They will most likely approve a plan to give “makeup” or compensating time. The problem is that many of those owners have fixed weeks and, because their units are sold out year-round, there is no way they can all have compensatory time in their unit type at the same time they usually go to Lindo Mar. As you can see, it is a Gordian Knot of massive proportions and, while the final policy is not likely to make everyone happy, we sincerely hope that everyone affected will understand the difficulty of giving anything as compensation.

Many of you have asked how the financial aspects of this will work out. Of course, no one can know at this time but we can say that anything you can imagine is possible. Meticulous records are being kept of all expenses for the cleanup, construction of a new wall, relocation of guests, lost income, etc., etc., and etc., again. Legal steps have been initiated with the Mexican courts and they (the court) will be sending their own experts to the site to inspect the damage. Although the courts close down about this time until after the first of the year, the inspectors stay on the job so there should be more to report on that subject soon. We will be limited as to how much we can say, but we'll pass along everything we can.

The staff Christmas party was held this past Wednesday night and was a great success. Gifts were given, there was live entertainment, recognitions were made (length of service, employee of the year, etc.), and (most) everyone enjoyed dancing until all hours of the night. We're glad we don't live in the neighborhood of the Krystal. Certainly, no one slept much around there, whether they were at the posada or not. Many staff members expressed their gratitude that management did not try to economize by canceling the party. Management is grateful that we still have a staff to have a party for.

Finally, if you have not given us your email address or you have changed it and not told us, please go the home page of this site and register for updates on this and other subjects. If you'd like to get Lindo Mar-related information but not other stuff, call Trading Places International and give your email address to Alicia. She will enter it in your record.

Thanks to everyone – especially those whose vacations are affected – for your patience in this trying time. Management, both onsite and off – is very grateful.

Here are some photos showing the activity involved in stabilizing the wall: